Realism Rebounds 🎨, A Giant Leap in Conservation 🧬, Getting the Most Out of Workshops 🛠️
And other stories from this week in the realism art movement
🌟 Mainstream
Realism Rebounds in Galleries, Museums, and the Contemporary Market | Observer
Realist art is experiencing a resurgence after being sidelined for decades, as it reclaims its place in the mainstream art world. This revival, which began in the 1960s, is driven by a growing appreciation for traditional techniques and a desire for tangible human connection in an increasingly digital landscape. Contemporary realist artists are blending classical skills with modern tools to create works that resonate with audiences, reflecting both emotional depth and technical mastery.
New adhesive for treating paintings and related materials solves safety and supply chain issues
Researchers at NYU and the University of Akron have developed a new solvent-free adhesive, Beva 371 Akron, to replace discontinued ingredients in the popular conservation adhesive Beva 371, widely used for preserving historical canvases. Funded by the Getty Foundation, this new formulation is safer, more adaptable, and available in multiple forms, including a durable spaghetti-like extrusion. The innovative approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of conservators worldwide while addressing health concerns related to traditional materials.
👩🎨 Artist Features
Daniel Keys Wins Not One - But Two Places in Salon - Fine Art Connoisseur
Daniel Keys won Overall First Place in the April 2025 PleinAir Salon, judged by J. Ben Whiteside of The Red Piano Gallery. Keys also received the “Best Artist Under 40” award for his still life painting, “Camellias & Antique Tea Tin.” Winners are eligible for annual cash prizes, including a Grand Prize of $15,000, as the next round of the competition is now open.
Whitehot Recommends: Mitchell Johnson small paintings at Galerie Mercier
Mitchell Johnson will exhibit a collection of 12 small paintings at Galerie Mercier in Paris from May 20 to 31, 2025. The works, created over the past seven years, capture familiar scenes from various locations, including San Francisco and New York City, through Johnson's unique lens of color and scale. Johnson has been painting in France since 1989, and his pieces are part of 35 museum collections worldwide.
🖼 Shows
How to see every painting by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci's artistic legacy encompasses a remarkable range of works and disciplines, with only about 16 paintings attributed directly to him. The article highlights key locations associated with his works, such as Florence, Milan, and the Louvre, while also addressing the complexities of attribution and the unfinished nature of many pieces, illustrating Leonardo's unique approach to art that often prioritized experimentation over completion.
NPG’s Annual Portrait Award: Inside The Shortlist (& How To See It)
The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award returns for 2025 at London's National Portrait Gallery, featuring three shortlisted artists from over 1,314 entries worldwide. Tim Benson, Moira Cameron, and Martyn Harris will compete for a top prize of £35,000, with the winner announced on July 18, 2025. The award aims to highlight contemporary portraiture and will include an exhibition of the shortlisted works alongside those of 43 other artists from July 10 to October 12, 2025.
60 Masterworks from Puerto Rico on Tour - Fine Art Connoisseur
The Museo de Arte de Ponce (MAP) in Puerto Rico is presenting a major traveling exhibition, "The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce," starting at the Meadows Museum in Dallas. The exhibition features 60 masterpieces from various artists, including significant works by European and Puerto Rican painters, and will move to several U.S. museums after its Dallas showing. MAP continues its mission of visibility and engagement despite ongoing repairs to its main building following earthquakes in 2020.
🎨 Learn
A Guide to Maximizing Your Art Workshop Experience - Realism Today
Art workshops provide a valuable platform for individuals to enhance their creativity and artistic skills, regardless of their experience level. To make the most of these workshops, participants should set clear goals, embrace a willingness to experiment, and actively engage with instructors and fellow artists. Documenting the creative journey and being open to feedback can further enrich the experience and promote long-term artistic growth.
📚 History
ART & ARTISTS: Frank Brangwyn - part 6
Frank Brangwyn (1867-1956) was a British artist known for his paintings, etchings, and murals, particularly his large panels on the British Empire for the House of Lords. He served as an Official War Artist during World War I and created various designs across multiple mediums. His work remains significant in Wales, with pieces reflecting his fascination with history and architecture, including sketches for the Grand Council Chamber in Bristol and war scenes intended for Westminster Palace.
John Singer Sargent and the American ‘Dollar Princesses’ Who Rewrote the Rules of Power
A new exhibition at London’s Kenwood House sheds fresh light on the so-called “dollar princesses”—wealthy American women who married into British aristocracy at the turn of the 20th century. Featuring portraits by John Singer Sargent, Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits reveals how these women, long dismissed as mere socialites, wielded real influence in politics, philanthropy, and culture. The show challenges stereotypes and offers a richer view of the transatlantic forces that shaped a new era of power.
💰 Auction House
Someone Just Made a Killing on This Obscure 19th-Century Painting
A rare Pointillist portrait by Georges Lemmen just sold at Sotheby’s for over 10 times its estimate, soaring to $698,500. The intimate 1890 painting of the artist’s sister sparked a bidding war, setting a new auction record for the under-recognized Belgian Neo-Impressionist.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.
Best regards,
Fletcher Graham